CK Pubs September/October 2013

The Top 10 issue of Creating Keepsakes has been out on shelves, and I wanted to share two of the layouts that were published in this issue.  The first is a double page layout, that was included in the Top 10 Tools article.  I received the Martha Stewart Circle Edge Punch Starter Kit, to feature on my layout.

I decided to use the punch to create several different sized doily shapes to layer behind my photos.  I loved the way they looked on my page, but thought they needed a little something extra, so I stitched around three of them to add some texture to my page.

My second layout was a part of the Title Techniques article, which wasn't included in the print issue, but is available in the full digital issue.

When I saw the call for this article, I knew this one was right up my alley, because I love creating fun titles for my layouts.  I loved this quote from Helen Keller and I had been wanting to use it on a page, but just didn't have the right fit.  But it all came together for this layout and I used a mix of Thickers, wood veneer, letters, Cameo cut words, and mini market stickers to create the title for my page.  And here's a little tip:  If you are out of letter stickers or Thickers you may need to complete a word, don't be afraid to pull those letters from a different font, style or color.  It adds a fun and unique look to your title and layout!

Spread Your Wings & Fly

I am really excited to share today's American Crafts Gallery layout with you.  It's one of my first using the amazing new Cut & Paste collection from Amy Tan.  I have to say I am totally in l.o.v.e with this collection, because it has so many fun patterns and embellishments and is perfect for capturing your everyday moments.  But I won't keep you waiting!  Let's take a look at the layout!! 

I went kind of crazy when I opened up my bag of goodies and I put just a little bit of everything on this page!  It may be a little hard to see on the background paper, but the design has several rounded rectangles with a fun stitched pattern and I used these shapes as the base of my design.  I also added two of my favorite embellishments to this page:  1.  the adorable Wood Veneer Tag, and I used some of the Chevron Premium Ribbon behind the heart shape on my tag.  2.  the Die Cut heart with the stitching pattern.  And I also added some of the awesome stamps and rub-ons on my background paper, to give it a fun custom look.

You are definitely going to want to get your hands on this collection!  I can honestly say, that it is more amazing in real life!!

Supplies:  Cut & Paste Patterned Papers, 6x6 Paper Pad, Premium Ribbon, Wood Veneer Tags, Adhesive Resin Bow, Remarks, Thickers, Die Cut Cardstock Shapes, Stamps, Stitching Templates

American Crafts Blog Hop WINNER!!

Hi everyone!  Just wanted to pop in and announce the winner of my giveaway for the American Crafts Blog Hop!!  Thanks to all of you who stopped by and commented, and yes!, I read each and everyone one of them!  And I would like to welcome those of you who became new followers over this past week!!

So without further ado, here is the winner from the Hop:

HOUSE BUILT OF CARDS!!

Please contact me at ashleyhorton010675@yahoo.com.  If I have not heard from you by Tuesday, September 17, I will choose and announce a new winner.

Let's Go to the Art Fair!

***If you are looking for the American Crafts Blog Hop, please go HERE.***

The Paper Bakery is going to the Art Fair this month, with a mix of Glitz Design, My Mind's Eye and Bella Blvd.  All of the Kits this month are amazing and the Scrapbook Kit includes some great embellishments like, feathers, crocheted hearts, Jillibean word stickers, flair buttons, and more!  I mixed some of the Glitz Design and My Mind's Eye for today's layout and also included some embellishments and stamps that are available in The Paper Bakery Shop.

  

I also used one of our Exclusive Cut Files in my title.  I have a tutorial sharing how I used my Silhouette Sketch Pens with the "Free" Feather Cut File.

1.  First, you will need to open your Cut File in Silhouette Studio.

2.  You will need to remove your blade from the housing and replace it with your choice of Sketch Pen.  Go to File and Send to Cameo.  Before you hit cut, go under Silhouette Cut Settings (the window on the right hand side of studio) and scroll down and select Silhouette Sketch Pen.  Then you can hit cut.

3.  Once your image has finished drawing, remove the Sketch Pen and replace with the blade.  Do not unload your mat or move your image, because you will want it to stay in the same place for your cut to work.  Now, you will want to select your Offset tool.  It is located at the bottom of Studio, near the left hand side.  Once you hit the Offset tool, go over to the Offset window and adjust your Offset distance.  And you have the choices of Corner or Round, and I usually select Corner.

4.  Once you have your Offset distance to your liking, delete the shape inside of your Offset line and any other text you don't want to cut.  You will need to go back to your Silhouette Cut Settings window and change the cutting preference to Textured Cardstock or Patterned Paper, depending on which one you are using.

And here's a look at the Exclusive Cut Files for this month.  Our Cut Files and Printables rotate each month, so you will receive the one for each specific month with your Paper Bakery subscription!

 

American Crafts Design Team Post

***If you are looking for the American Crafts Blog Hop, please go HERE.***

Yesterday, was my very first post on the American Crafts Blog, and I shared a little about myself and two new layouts.  So many of you stopped by to leave some love, and I just wanted to say Thank You to my awesome scrappy friends!!  I wanted to share those layouts with you today, in case you missed the AC post yesterday.

Seashells by the Seashore

 

I used a lot of the Dear Lizzy Lucky Charm collection for this layout and my 6x6 paper pad came in handy for this one.  I pulled colors from the collection that coordinated with our daughter's swimsuit.  The sunburst was easy to create, by cutting angled strips and then placing them apart from a center point behind my photo.  And I also used a little of the White Zazz Glitter Glue, to add a touch of sparkle to the edges of my Cameo cut waves.

Solo Lunch Date

For this layout, I used a mix of 5th & Frolic, Soho Garden, and Amy Tan Yes, Please.  I love how well the different AC lines coordinate together.  I wanted to use my Cameo to create a custom look for this layout, so I used the 5th & Frolic Triangle patterned paper as inspiration for my page.  I used the positive and negative Triangle shapes to create a fun design for my page and added some of the patterned papers and Amy Tan bits behind the shapes.  And I wanted to add some interest to my title, so I used the Amy Tan stitching templates for the word Solo, which added a pop of color and texture.

I am still floating on Cloud 9 to be a part of the American Crafts Team, and I'm looking forward to sharing more with you!  Soon I'll be sharing a layout using the new Cut & Paste collection from Amy Tan, and I'll be creating projects for October using this collection, as well as the Polk Dot Party collection from Dear Lizzy!!

Do More With Less Guest Designer!

***If you are looking for the American Crafts Blog Hop, please go HERE.***

The super talented Yvonne Yam recently invited me to be a Guest Designer on her Blog, Do More With Less.  Yvonne always shares amazing projects on her Blog and does awesome work on her layouts and projects, so I was very excited to get an invitation from her.   She mentioned in her email, that she loved the way I mixed patterns on my layouts, so I thought that would be a great topic for my post.  I will share the layout I created here, but you will have to visit Yvonne's Blog to see my full post, where I share some tips on mixing patterns and colors.

While you are visiting Yvonne's Blog, make sure you check out the Challenge!  I would love to see you create a layout using at least 5 different patterns and NO Cardstock.  You can link up your entry on Yvonne's Blog and a winner will be chosen, to receive a $10 Gift Certificate to The Paper Bakery Shop!

Supplies:  Patterned Paper:  Crate Paper (Maggie Holmes); Cardstock Bits:  Dear Lizzy; Wood Veneers:  Studio Calico; Color Shine:  Heidi Swapp; Buttons & Sprinklers:  October Afternoon; Flair Button:  The Paper Bakery; Thickers:  American Crafts; Candy Dots:  Queen & Co. & Skipping5   

Our Hero

***If you are looking for the American Crafts Blog Hop, please go HERE.

I was so excited to see today's article at Get It Scrapped!, as one of our CT choices:  Style-Inspired by Superheros and Comics.  Superheros are iconic and loved by young and old.  We all have our favorites, and I'm sure at one time we've dreamed of being a Superhero.  So needless to say, I was very excited to be one of the Creative Team working with this style!  And I couldn't think of a better hero than daddy, and had a perfect photo from this past Father's Day to use on my layout.  Here is what I created:

 
We took this photo on Father's Day, after leaving the Sunday morning church service.  I knew the Superhero/Comic Book inspiration assignment, would be perfect with this photo.  I wanted to use the Party with Amy Locurto collection from Pebbles Inc., to create a Superhero look on my layout. This line uses Primary Colors, stars, talk bubbles, and Superhero images, which worked perfectly for the look on my layout.  I also incorporated more stars using wood veneers and a custom cut Cameo background.  To add a little graphic touch to go along with the Superhero look, I added in some touches of Black with my stitching and by adding Black spray mist to the wood veneers stars.

I also wanted to share the Free Star/Circle Cut File I created for this page.  I only have it available in the Studio Version, which you can download HERE.

Supplies:  Patterned Paper:  Pebbles Inc., Thickers, American Crafts, Wood Veneers: Studio Calico, Freckled Fawn, UmWow  Studio; Spray Mist:  Studio Calico & Heidi Swapp; Flair Buttons: The Paper Bakery; Font:  Anime Ace; Die Cut Machine:  Cameo Punch:  EK Success